Chelsea v Leeds United: FA Cup semi-final – live

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The crate was crammed with bottles but Daniel Farke made light work of hoisting it on to a table and inviting everyone to help themselves. It was a little after 10.30 one night in April last year, an already-promoted Leeds had just beaten Bristol City, and the manager was offering journalists an end-of-season beer.

Such gestures are increasingly unusual in an ever-more corporate and sanitised sport, but Farke brings a human touch to proceedings. Indeed, his refreshingly down-to-earth approach is reminiscent of an illustrious title-winning predecessor. Behind a blunt exterior Howard Wilkinson was a caring manager who, spotting a journalist stranded outside Elland Road late one night, drove him home to Sheffield. It seems the sort of thing Farke might also do.

Coincidentally, Wilkinson and Farke are lovers of literary fiction who toyed with the idea of becoming novelists in their own right. While Wilkinson ultimately took a different path to his hero, DH Lawrence, Farke – a Gabriel García Márquez fan – wrote several chapters of a book before deeming it “crap” and shoving the manuscript in a drawer.

Today’s game is a repeat of the 1970 FA Cup final, when Chelsea pipped Leeds in a replay at Old Trafford. That game was among the filthiest known to mankind, and I urge you to relive it with Scott Murray’s retro MBM.

44 min: This is absolutely outrageous! Gray, back up, hobbles down the left. He doesn’t really want a pass from Giles, but gets one anyway. He goes to hoick the ball up the wing, away from personal danger, but it’s too late: Hutchinson comes sliding in, whipping Gray into the air like a greasy pancake. Recently injured, Gray understandably takes exception to this wild lunge. Less understandably, he responds by stamping on his assailant’s leg. Hutchinson springs up and punches Gray right on the tip of his front tail. Right in the trousers! Those are two sendings off, right there, though the referee does nothing whatsoever and play goes on.

Team news

Chelsea’s caretaker manager Calum McFarlane has made three changes to the side that lost heavily to Brighton. Tosin Adarabioyo, Alejandro Garnacho and the fit again Joao Pedro replace Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap. Cole Palmer is among the subs.

Just one change for Leeds. Lucas Perri, the hero of their quarter-final victory at West Ham, replaces Karl Darlow in goal.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Delap, Palmer, Essugo, Santos, Hato, Fofana, Acheampong, Derry.

Leeds (3-4-2-1) Perri; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Darlow, Rodon, Bornauw, Longstaff, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.

Referee Jarred Gillett

Given Chelsea supporters are pining for the old days, perhaps they can cheer themselves up by remembering glorious runs from some of the club’s previous interim managers, although whether Calum McFarlane is capable of emulating the likes of Guus Hiddink, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez looks like a long shot as another damaging week for the BlueCo project draws to a close.

Is this inexperienced young coach the man for a salvage operation? Fans will take some convincing after watching Chelsea’s players not so much throw in the towel as not even bother to pick it up at all during Tuesday’s defeat to Brighton, which saw off Liam Rosenior. Those heading to Wembley for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds will hope for a response but do not be surprised if they turn mutinous again.

It’s hard to believe this is Leeds’ first FA Cup semi-final since 1987, when they lost a thriller against Coventry. The last time they reached the final, Don Revie was manager.

Preamble

The beauty – the point – of most football matches is that we don’t know who’s going to win. In today’s FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Leeds, it’s not even clear who are the favourites to win.

Chelsea are Chelsea but they’re also Chelsea, without a permanent manager (insert your own joke here) and on a run of seven increasingly miserable defeats in eight. Leeds, despite being in a relegation battle for most of the season, are unbeaten in almost two months.

With the exception of Arsenal, Leeds have been excellent against the big boys this season. That includes the two league games against Chelsea: a narrative-changing 3-1 win in December and a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in February.

The winners will play Manchester City on Saturday 16 May. Just don’t ask me who it’ll be.

Kick off 3pm.